Audi unveils third-gen Q3: New design, tech, and plug-in hybrid power

Audi has officially pulled the wraps off the
third-generation Q3
, revealing a sharper, more athletic SUV packed with cutting-edge tech and a broader powertrain lineup.The 2026 Q3 marks a significant design evolution. Up front, the SUV sports a more aggressive single-frame honeycomb grille finished in black, flanked by sleek split LED headlamps with Matrix projector units and pixelated DRLs. Inspired by the new Q5, the refreshed front end lends the Q3 a sportier, more planted stance. Aerodynamic tweaks, including redesigned air intakes, help the SUV achieve a drag coefficient of 0.30.
From the side, the Q3 gets a prominent shoulder line that links the front and rear lighting, visually separating the upper and lower halves of the car. Wheel sizes range from 17 to 20 inches. Notably, it's also the first compact Audi to offer acoustic glazing on the front windows, cutting road noise inside the cabin.
At the rear, split OLED tail-lamps are connected by a sleek LED light bar. The tailgate features illuminated Audi rings for the first time, while the clean rear bumper integrates a black skid plate that discreetly hides the exhaust pipes.
Inside, the new Q3 leans into a sportier, tech-forward cabin with an all-black interior and layered dashboard design. Dominating the dash are:
A 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment systemA 11.9-inch digital driver displayA new twin-lever setup behind the steering wheel—one for gear selection, the other for lights and wipers—which frees up space on the center console
'With the Audi Q3 interior, we are transferring the digital stage from the full-size class to the compact segment,' said Geoffrey Bouquot, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG.
The SUV is loaded with features that enhance both comfort and connectivity. These include an Android Automotive OS-powered infotainment system with Audi's AI voice assistant, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, three-zone climate control, and ambient lighting. Buyers can also opt for a 12-speaker SONOS premium sound system for a more immersive audio experience.
Under the hood, Audi is offering a wide range of powertrains:
A 1.5L TFSI turbo petrol with mild-hybrid tech (148 bhp / 250 Nm)A 2.0L TFSI turbo petrol with Quattro AWD (261 bhp / 400 Nm)A 2.0L diesel TDI (148 bhp), without AWDA new plug-in hybrid pairing the 1.5L petrol with an electric motor and a 25.7 kWh battery, delivering 268 bhp and 400 Nm, with up to 119 km of pure electric rangeOn the safety and assistance front, the Q3 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, emergency braking, and driver attention monitoring. It also features a 360-degree camera and auto park assist, enhancing both convenience and peace of mind behind the wheel.
'With the third generation of the Audi Q3, we are renewing an important model family as part of our product initiative and strengthening our range with a powerful plug-in hybrid and efficient combustion engines. The new model combines efficiency, driving dynamics, and comfort.', said Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Hindu

8 hours ago

• The Hindu

Cognizant to invest $183 million for new India campus, add 8,000 jobs

Software services firm Cognizant Technology Solutions will invest ₹15.82 billion ($182.76 million) to build a new campus in the southern Indian city of Vishakapatanam that will create about 8,000 jobs, the State Government announced on Friday (June 20, 2025). Commercial operations will begin in March 2029, an Andhra Pradesh Government press release said. Cognizant did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The announcement comes just months after India's top IT firm, Tata Consultancy Services, unveiled plans for ₹13.70 billion campus in the same city, and is expected generate 12,000 jobs. The move aligns with Cognizant's strategy to optimise real estate costs. In May 2023, Chief Executive Ravi Kumar S. said the company would relinquish 11 million square feet of office space globally, mainly in India's largest cities, while investing in tier-2 Indian cities. Globally, IT companies, including those in India's $283 billion sector, are taking cost-cutting measures such as monetising real estate assets and delaying wage increases amid demand uncertainty. Last month, the Teaneck, New Jersey-based company raised its annual revenue forecast and beat first-quarter results driven by increased demand for AI-powered IT services. Cognizant expects 2025 annual revenue between $20.5 billion and $21.0 billion, compared to previous outlook of the midpoint of $20.30 billion to $20.80 billion. ($1 = 86.5625 Indian rupees)

Business Standard

12 hours ago

• Business Standard

5paisa Capital Launches Model Context Protocol (MCP) for AI-Powered Trading Integration

NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 20: 5paisa Capital, one of India's leading discount broking firms, has officially launched its Model Context Protocol (MCP). This framework integrates Claude, a state-of-the-art large language model (LLM), with 5paisa's internal APIs. This launch represents a strategic integration aimed at enhancing user experience and brings AI-powered trading capabilities to 5paisa users. With MCP, 5paisa users can now perform a wide range of trading tasks -- from placing orders and analyzing market data to backtesting strategies -- simply by interacting with Claude via natural language. This rollout aligns with 5paisa's vision to simplify advanced trading tools for everyday investors. With the MCP, users can now harness the power of cutting-edge LLMs to make more informed trading decisions using real-time market data and their own custom datasets. By enabling intelligent prompt-based trading through 5paisa XStream Open APIs, MCP empowers users to bring any data source -- be it weather, crop yield, or macroeconomic indicators -- into the decision-making process for personalized stock market analysis. "We believe the future of investing lies in empowering users with intelligent tools that are not just data-driven, but context-aware. Model Context Protocol is our answer to the growing need for adaptive AI in financial decision-making," said Gaurav Seth, MD & CEO, 5paisa Capital. "With MCP, even non-coders can now interact with complex datasets and advanced trading strategies through natural language -- truly putting the power of institutional-grade analytics into the hands of everyday investors." Key Features of 5paisa MCP * AI-enabled Trading Assistant: Built-in support for Claude LLM, with plans to support additional AI models soon. * Prompt-Based Interface: No coding knowledge required -- simply type commands like "Backtest my breakout strategy from Jan 2021 to Dec 2022". * Custom Data Integration: Users can include external context (e.g., climate data, economic forecasts) for enhanced decision-making. * Encrypted & Private: All data shared is encrypted during transit; users retain full control of data sharing. * Free for Existing Users: MCP is available at no additional cost to all current 5paisa account holders. * Cross-Platform Support: Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux via Claude Desktop. The MCP assistant can also be used without logging in for general information and market research. However, advanced trading features and account-linked capabilities will remain exclusive to authenticated users. This launch reinforces 5paisa Capital's commitment to offering the most innovative, accessible, and secure trading solutions in the Indian financial landscape. MCP is now live and accessible via the desktop and web application for all 5paisa customers.

Time of India

14 hours ago

• Time of India

Audi weighs $4.6 billion US plant to ease tariff tensions

Volkswagen 's premium brand Audi could build a plant at a new location in the United States under scenarios being considered to placate President Donald Trump in the tariff conflict, the Spiegel news magazine reported on Friday. Audi is considering building a plant in the southern US, which would be the more expensive option out of a number of scenarios being considered, with company sources estimating costs of up to 4 billion euros ($4.6 billion), the report said. An Audi spokesperson said that the company aims to build up more of a presence in the United States. "We are currently examining various scenarios for this. We are confident that we will make a decision this year in consultation with the (Volkswagen) group on how this will look in concrete terms," she said in an emailed statement, reaffirming earlier comments made by the company. Audi has no production of its own in the US, but Volkswagen has a plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee and one under construction near Columbia, South Carolina. Trump's announcement of sweeping tariffs has already racked up hundreds of millions of euros in costs for German carmakers heavily reliant on their export business, according to an industry representative. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are in talks with Washington over a possible import tariff deal, seeking to use their US investments and exports as leverage to soften any blow, sources have told Reuters.